Oregon entered a new era of politics on Nov. 6, 1990 when Oregon voters approved the Measure 5 property tax limit on a vote of 52.4 percent to 47.6 percent.

It arguably became the most far-reaching ballot measure in Oregon history (reader contest: which one did you think had a bigger impact?). For better or worse, it became the state's major tax reform.

School spending was largely shifted to the state and the remaining school property taxes were in essence shared by districts. Chronically strapped school districts started doing better than ever while once-rich districts began years of trims and cuts.

Politically, the passage of Measure 5 encouraged other activists - particularly conservatives who felt stymied in Salem - to turn to the ballot initiative to craft Oregon in their image.

While the property-tax revolt had many architects, Gresham health club owner Don McIntire more than any other person came to be known as the father of Measure 5.

In the above photo, he appears on television with other Measure 5 supporters making their case for limiting property taxes to 1.5 percent of assessed value.

McIntire remains a fixture in Oregon politics as he genially presides over the Executive Club, a monthly gathering in a worn hotel ballroom near the airport that serves as a haven for conservatives in oh-so-liberal Portland.